π
Hear-No-Evil Monkey
heer noh ee-vuhl mung-kee
Definitions
1
Animals Β· Symbolic
Common
Depicts a monkey covering its ears, representing the concept of 'hear no evil' from the Three Wise Monkeys proverb. Used to indicate deliberately not listening, ignoring information, or avoiding unwanted sounds.
Often used playfully to show someone is tuning out criticism, gossip, or uncomfortable truths.
When my mom starts talking about cleaning my room π
Text message between friends
Don't tell me any spoilers about the finale πππ
Social media comment
Me when my friends start arguing about politics π
Instagram caption
Part of the Japanese 'Three Wise Monkeys' representing the proverbial principle to avoid evil by controlling what you hear.
2
Emotions Β· Avoidance
Common
Represents willful ignorance, denial, or the act of refusing to acknowledge uncomfortable information. Used to express a desire to avoid hearing something distressing.
Can indicate both playful and serious forms of avoidance, depending on context.
My bank account after holiday shopping π
Twitter/X post
When my boss mentions weekend work π
WhatsApp group chat
In digital culture, often used to express the psychological defense mechanism of denial in a lighthearted way.
Evolution Timeline
2010
Initial inclusion in Unicode 6.0 as part of the Three Wise Monkeys set.
Growing need for emotive symbols in digital communication
2015
Evolved from literal interpretation to represent willful ignorance in Western digital culture.
Rise of meme culture and need for symbols representing emotional avoidance
2018
Became frequently used in political contexts to indicate partisan selective hearing.
Increasing political polarization and information bubbles
Cultural Context
Originates from the Japanese proverbial principle 'see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil' embodied by the Three Wise Monkeys (δΈηΏ, sanzaru), with this emoji representing Kikazaru, who covers his ears.
While originally representing moral virtue of avoiding evil influences, in Western digital culture it has evolved to represent willful ignorance or selective hearing.
The phrase 'hear no evil' has transformed in digital communication from a moral imperative to a shorthand for avoiding uncomfortable truths or responsibilities.
Younger users often employ this emoji ironically to acknowledge they're deliberately ignoring advice or information they don't want to process.
Regional Variations
United Kingdom
Often used with British irony to acknowledge hearing something while pretending not to.
United States
Commonly used in casual contexts to indicate ignoring unwanted information or avoiding responsibility.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: Used more literally to reference the proverb. Often employed when discussing politics or controversial topics they prefer to avoid.
Gen_Z: Frequently used ironically to acknowledge willful ignorance. Popular in TikTok and Instagram Stories as reaction to unwanted advice or information.
Older: Less frequently used. When employed, typically references the traditional 'Three Wise Monkeys' proverb rather than modern avoidance connotations.
Millennials: Often used in workplace contexts to humorously indicate selective hearing of assignments. Common in group chats when avoiding responsibility.
Common Combinations
ππ
Completely avoiding information by both not hearing and not seeing it.
References two of the Three Wise Monkeys, intensifying the avoidance meaning.
πππ
Extreme or emphatic refusal to listen or acknowledge something.
Repetition intensifies the emotion, common in digital communication for emphasis.
ππ
Humorously ignoring or pretending not to hear something funny but inappropriate.
Combines avoidance with acknowledgment that the situation is amusing.
ππ¬
Ignoring someone's message or comment deliberately.
Visual representation of not listening to what someone is saying.
ππ΅
Not wanting to hear a particular song or music.
Often used when referencing overplayed songs or music one dislikes.
Related Emojis
π
See-no-evil monkey, part of the same Three Wise Monkeys proverb
π
Speak-no-evil monkey, completing the Three Wise Monkeys trio
π΅
Generic monkey face, visually similar but without the cultural meaning
π
Muted speaker, similar concept of avoiding sound
π€·
Shrugging person, often used in similar contexts of avoidance